Should Obesity Be Stigmatized?

Arguing that obesity "may be the most difficult and elusive public health problem the United States has ever encountered" and that anti-obesity efforts having made little discernible difference, Daniel Callahan, co-founder and President Emeritus of The Hastings Center, proposes a bold and controversial approach to fighting the epidemic.

Callahan says that the public health community can learn from one of the most successful public health campaigns: the anti-smoking campaign. A primary strategy has been to stigmatize smokers, he says, making it clear that their behavior is not only unhealthy for them but is also socially unacceptable. While the public health community has decisively rejected the stigmatization of obesity, Callahan directly challenges that rejection.

In "Obesity: Chasing an Elusive Epidemic," an article in the Hastings Center Report, Callahan says that what he calls "stigmatization lite," if used carefully, could provide an important strategy in the strikingly unsuccessful effort to help the 67 percent of Americans who are overweight or obese lose weight. He cites estimates that no more than 10 percent of those who try to lose weight succeed in the long run.

Callahan does not deny that stigmatization can do harm, such as increasing the risk of discrimination in the workplace and health care. But he believes that that risk would be minimized by "stigmatization lite," in which people who are overweight consider the threat of discrimination itself as a danger to be avoided: "don't let this happen to you!" His aim is to complement, not replace, public health strategies that would bring to bear a strong government hand, making use of laws and regulations and subsidizing healthy foods, good medical counseling, and special efforts at obesity prevention programs for children.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by The Hastings Center, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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I go to the gym, but I don't love it and that includes sparring, lifting, conditioning etc. I hate it, nobody wants to get up in the morning and do that stuff. Of course I do it anyway. I'd take a pill if one existed where I'd no longer need to do those things. Not everyone wants to go to the gym and refer to everyone as "bro" for an hour and a half.

Well some of these examples have gotten a little out of hand. We can't compare tobacco addiction to obesity but we can compare obesity to a cleft lip?

With very few exceptions, obesity is a "disease" of choice.

All of a sudden, within the last decade or so, something like 35% of the US population wound up with some kind of obese gene? Not hardly. Sure there are genetic issues but they are certainly limited in scope. And if you consider overweight and not just the obese you are looking at another 33%. Together, obese and simply overweight people comprise roughly 66% of the whole population of the United States over the age of 20.

Outright bullying may not be the way to go but coddling sure as **** isn't either.

I, for one, would like to see better education relating to health. I think physical education and nutritional classes should be mandatory in our educational system. I agree with laws forcing restaurants to show nutritional info. Unfortunately, most people don't even know what the hell they are reading.

I think doctors should refer overweight and especially obese patients to physical therapy clinics who should broaden their scope to bringing people in to healthy ranges. Exercise should be prescribed for cholesterol, tight muscles et cetera instead of pharma solutions.

I do believe a media campaign to create awareness would be helpful, not only to spread information and create an interest in health but as personal, periodic reminders too.

Considering cigarettes, these methods do work. Slapping a surgeon generals warning on a box and then using the media to push the message of how dangerous tobacco can be certainly enlightened a generation of people who smoke significantly less than previous generations, although tobacco is still legal and readily available for consumption. We are simply more educated about its downside nowdays and usage is down significantly.

If people shun smokers in public places (I do and am happy for smoking bans) it only helps to reinforce the message, although the campaign against smoking isn't based on "shunning" people at all, this aspect is simply human nature.

If doughboy is ostracized and decides to take charge of his health because of it, good. How many wimpy kids picked up a dumbell or started playing sports to "show them"? A lot. And if he decides to ingore information and helpful tools to be healthy, screw him. We all make the beds we sleep in and personal responsibility is unfortunately a rare commodity these days, probably an underlying factor but a different topic altogether.

He and his fat wife create sensory pollution for me in public. It's disgusting, unsettling and smelly, not unlike a garbage dump. Not only that but I fly, a lot. I can't tell you how many fat people have hung over in my seat space on a plane and then hit that ****ing stewardess light for cokes and peanuts the whole god damned flight. They definitely owe me some "rent" on my flight space. And when they eat, they are noisier than my dogs, but I digress.

Negative reinforcement does have it's place when positive coaxing obviously isn't working.

Two different things. Cleft lip and palate are separate, but often are seen together, but not always.

used to be the thought, just recently (within the past year) theyve found that they are always together its just that one trait may not be as expressed to the degree as others. so with that theyve ruled deemed the proper term "cleft palate" as thats what the brains behind the discovery felt appropriate.

I go to the gym, but I don't love it and that includes sparring, lifting, conditioning etc. I hate it, nobody wants to get up in the morning and do that stuff. Of course I do it anyway. I'd take a pill if one existed where I'd no longer need to do those things. Not everyone wants to go to the jump and call everyone "bro" for an hour and a half.

I love working out and don't call anyone a bro, unless I'm being sarcastic.

I find inherent pleasure in setting and accomplishing goals and the gym is one place I can manifest this pleasure, along with self improvement.

If I'm feeling stressed, a heavy leg day or even a long run is like a drug, mentally and physically considering hormonal releases.

Working out in the morning, I feel more energetic, upbeat and ready to take on the world. Sometimes I need to exercise the willpower you mention but not on a regular basis.

I would take a pill too to be sure I cover all my bases, but it would never replace genuine achievement for me.

I feel like you are saying fat asses are weak minded, unmotivated individuals who happen to lack willpower to boot, which is probably true.

I don't know how to fix that, not without some kind of exterior motivation since the interior is obviously whacked. Generally the lazy and unmotivated need a kick in the ass as opposed to a carrot (cupcake) on a stick too, because they are lazy and unmotivated to chase that cupcake.

Well some of these examples have gotten a little out of hand. We can't compare tobacco addiction to obesity but we can compare obesity to a cleft lip?

With very few exceptions, obesity is a "disease" of choice.

All of a sudden, within the last decade or so, something like 35% of the US population wound up with some kind of obese gene? Not hardley. Sure there are genetic issues but they are certainly limited in scope. And if you consider overweight and not just the obese you are looking at another 33%. Together, obese and simply overweight people comprise roughly 66% of the whole population of the United States over the age of 20.

Outright bullying may not be the way to go but coddling sure as **** isn't either.

I, for one, would like to see better education relating to health. I think physical education and nutritional classes should be mandatory in our educational system. I agree with laws forcing restaurants to show nutritional info. Unfortunately, most people don't even know what the hell they are reading.

I think doctors should refer overweight and especially obese patients to physical therapy clinics who should broaden their scope to bringing people in to healthy ranges. Exercise should be prescribed for cholesterol, tight muscles et cetera instead of pharma solutions.

I do believe a media campaign to create awareness would be helpful, not only to spread information and create an interest in health but as personal, periodic reminders too.

Considering cigarettes, these methods do work. Slapping a surgeon generals warning on a box and then using the media to push the message of how dangerous tobacco can be certainly enlightened a generation of people who smoke significantly less than previous generations, although tobacco is still legal and readily available for consumption. We are simply more educated about its downside nowdays and usage is down significantly.

If people shun smokers in public places (I do and am happy for smoking bans) it only helps to reinforce the message, although the campaign against smoking isn't based on "shunning" people at all, this aspect is simply human nature.

If doughboy is ostracized and decides to take charge of his health because of it, good. How many wimpy kids picked up a dumbell or started playing sports to "show them"? A lot. And if he decides to ingore information and helpful tools to be healthy, screw him. We all make the beds we sleep in and personal responsibility is unfortunately a rare commodity these days, probably an underlying factor but a different topic altogether.

He and his fat wife create sensory pollution for me in public. It's disgusting, unsettling and smelly, not unlike a garbage dump. Not only that but I fly, a lot. I can't tell you how many fat people have hung over in my seat space on a plane and then hit that ****ing stewardess light for cokes and peanuts the whole god damned flight. They definitely owe me some "rent" on my flight space. And when they eat, they are noisier than my dogs, but I digress.

Negative reinforcement does have it's place when positive coaxing obviously isn't working.

texas...before we get started i have to preface your entry with "eat ****"

and also...LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! TEXAS IS HERE!! did you bring GW along?

i have to agree with you though that ignorance isnt an excuse and kids do need to be better educated about the issues at hand as well as adults.

Well some of these examples have gotten a little out of hand. We can't compare tobacco addiction to obesity but we can compare obesity to a cleft lip?

With very few exceptions, obesity is a "disease" of choice.

All of a sudden, within the last decade or so, something like 35% of the US population wound up with some kind of obese gene? Not hardley. Sure there are genetic issues but they are certainly limited in scope. And if you consider overweight and not just the obese you are looking at another 33%. Together, obese and simply overweight people comprise roughly 66% of the whole population of the United States over the age of 20.

Outright bullying may not be the way to go but coddling sure as **** isn't either.

I, for one, would like to see better education relating to health. I think physical education and nutritional classes should be mandatory in our educational system. I agree with laws forcing restaurants to show nutritional info. Unfortunately, most people don't even know what the hell they are reading.

I think doctors should refer overweight and especially obese patients to physical therapy clinics who should broaden their scope to bringing people in to healthy ranges. Exercise should be prescribed for cholesterol, tight muscles et cetera instead of pharma solutions.

I do believe a media campaign to create awareness would be helpful, not only to spread information and create an interest in health but as personal, periodic reminders too.

Considering cigarettes, these methods do work. Slapping a surgeon generals warning on a box and then using the media to push the message of how dangerous tobacco can be certainly enlightened a generation of people who smoke significantly less than previous generations, although tobacco is still legal and readily available for consumption. We are simply more educated about its downside nowdays and usage is down significantly.

If people shun smokers in public places (I do and am happy for smoking bans) it only helps to reinforce the message, although the campaign against smoking isn't based on "shunning" people at all, this aspect is simply human nature.

If doughboy is ostracized and decides to take charge of his health because of it, good. How many wimpy kids picked up a dumbell or started playing sports to "show them"? A lot. And if he decides to ingore information and helpful tools to be healthy, screw him. We all make the beds we sleep in and personal responsibility is unfortunately a rare commodity these days, probably an underlying factor but a different topic altogether.

He and his fat wife create sensory pollution for me in public. It's disgusting, unsettling and smelly, not unlike a garbage dump. Not only that but I fly, a lot. I can't tell you how many fat people have hung over in my seat space on a plane and then hit that ****ing stewardess light for cokes and peanuts the whole god damned flight. They definitely owe me some "rent" on my flight space. And when they eat, they are noisier than my dogs, but I digress.

Negative reinforcement does have it's place when positive coaxing obviously isn't working.

There was an overweight 16 year old kid who'd come into my gym. He would workout in the corner and I'd hear people make snide remarks about him, mind you he was doing something. The act of getting up and walking into a gym when you're obese is a sign of strength. Rather than making fun of the kid, which would have led him to go home and feel worse about himself, feel stressed and succumb to triggers, end up making poor choices, I worked out with him. I dragged him to play sports and put him on my team, against the wishes of everyone else on the team. Lol. At the end of 3 months he dropped a substantial amount of weight, had more self confidence and gained a new friend. He's a good kid, who deserved help not someone's pity or shame.

I love working out and don't call anyone a bro, unless I'm being sarcastic.

I find inherent pleasure in setting and accomplishing goals and the gym is one place I can manifest this pleasure, along with self improvement.

If I'm feeling stressed, a heavy leg day or even a long run is like a drug, mentally and physically considering hormonal releases.

Working out in the morning, I feel more energetic, upbeat and ready to take on the world. Sometimes I need to exercise the willpower you mention but not on a regular basis.

I would take a pill too to be sure I cover all my bases, but it would never replace genuine achievement for me.

I feel like you are saying fat asses are weak minded, unmotivated individuals who happen to lack willpower to boot, which is probably true.

I don't know how to fix that, not without some kind of exterior motivation since the interior is obviously whacked. Generally the lazy and unmotivated need a kick in the ass as opposed to a carrot (cupcake) on a stick too, because they are lazy and unmotivated to chase that cupcake.

Make their couch uncomfortable though and they will move.

And that's great. I find inherent pleasure in reading, going to museums and traveling. Lifting things up and putting them down just happens to fall in there somewhere. It's not like we're curing cancer over here, you know what I mean. Perspective.

There was an overweight 16 year old kid who'd come into my gym. He would workout in the corner and I'd hear people make remarks, mind you he's doing something. The act of getting up and walking into a gym when your obese is a sign of strength. Rather than make fun of the kid, which will lead him to go home and feel worse about himself, feel stressed and succumb to triggers and make poor choices, I worked out with him. I dragged him to play sports and put him on my team against the wishes of everyone else on the team. Lol. At the end of 3 months he dropped a substantial amount of weight, had more self confidence and gained a new friend. He's a good kid, who deserved help not pitied or shamed.

^^
this is how its done! and you are applauded for it!
your a good man! its a shame you have to lose all of our arguments ;)

There was an overweight 16 year old kid who'd come into my gym. He would workout in the corner and I'd hear people make snide remarks about him, mind you he was doing something. The act of getting up and walking into a gym when you're obese is a sign of strength. Rather than makeing fun of the kid, which would have led him to go home and feel worse about himself, feel stressed and succumb to triggers, end up making poor choices, I worked out with him. I dragged him to play sports and put him on my team, against the wishes of everyone else on the team. Lol. At the end of 3 months he dropped a substantial amount of weight, had more self confidence and gained a new friend. He's a good kid, who deserved help not someone's pity or shame.

That kid got the education, support and more than likely negative motivation to make the changes I discussed in the post you quoted. Good for him. Now if he can do it...

And that's great. I find inherent pleasure in reading, going to museums and traveling. Lifting things up and putting them down just happens to fall in there somewhere. It's not like we're curing cancer over here, you know what I mean. Perspective.

As do I. Perspective, however, is broad regarding health. Nobody finds pleasure in being unhealthy. And obesity is potentially more dangerous than cancer. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, with cancer in second place.

Maybe we should be creating at least the same level of awareness for the dangers of obesity. We hear all about carcinogens and various habits to avoid in order to avoid cancer. Lets bring on the fat ass habits to avoid heart attacks too. It would be a public service if nothing else.

We aren't talking about striated shoulders and glass cutting abs here, but general health. "Perspective" is a weak argument against health.

Edit: Obesity is even believed to lead to certain types of cancer, as fat cells retain various carcinogens ingested from our environment and, oddly, ****ty foods. It's very deadly and certainly deserves aggressive attention.

Just total deaths. And that doesn't even account for all the fat kids today that will follow their fat parents, and earlier. I'm betting we see a wider margin of obesity related deaths in the next decade or two to come. But hey, 66% of the total population can't be wrong, and we certainly shouldn't tell them they are too fat.